Guided sliding door assembly and method of connecting a door leaf of a sliding door to a door guide assembly

Abstract

A sliding door assembly comprising a door guide (20a) extending along a horizontal guide axis (G1), a first door (12a) guided by the door guide (20a), and a second door (12b) guided by the door guide (20a) independently of the first door (12a), wherein the second door (12b) comprises a first end door coupler (32b) engaging in a direction towards a first guide end (16a) of the door guide (20a), and the first door (12a) comprises a second end door coupler (34a) engaging in a direction towards a second guide end (16b) of the door guide (20a) to couple to the first end door coupler (32b) of the second door, wherein the first end door coupler (32b) and the second end door coupler (34a) together define a soft close mechanism configured to gradually brake a relative movement between the first door (12a) and the second door (12b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a guided sliding door assembly and a method for connecting the door leaf of a sliding door to a door guide assembly. Background Technology

[0002] WO17036795 A1 discloses a sliding door assembly provided with means for positioning two sliding doors relative to each other or in an open position. However, there is a need for a more versatile sliding door assembly that can be adapted to and used in a wider range of situations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to solve or at least alleviate some or all of the problems mentioned above. To this end, according to a first aspect, a guided sliding door assembly is provided, the guided sliding door assembly including a door guide assembly and a first door device assembly, the door guide assembly being configured to define a first door guide member extending along a horizontal guide axis from a first guide end to a second guide end, the first door device assembly including: a corresponding first door assembly configured to define a first door guided by the first door guide member to be guideably movable along the guide axis, the first door extending in a vertical door plane along the guide axis; and a corresponding second door assembly configured to define a second door guided by the first door guide member to be guideably movable independently of the first door along the guide axis, the second door extending in a vertical door plane along the guide axis. The guide axis extends in the vertical door plane, wherein the first door includes a second end connector that engages in a direction toward a second guide end of the first door guide member, the second end connector of the first door being configured to connect to the second door, and the second door includes a first end connector that engages in a direction toward a first guide end of the first door guide member, the first end connector of the second door being configured to connect to the second end connector of the first door, wherein the second end connector of the first door and the first end connector of the second door define a soft-closing mechanism configured to gradually brake the relative movement between the first and second doors along the guide axis. This provides a simple and convenient guided sliding door arrangement. In particular, the soft-closing mechanism can be configured to gradually brake the relative movement between the first and second doors as they approach each other along the guide axis. The first door guide member can be defined by a corresponding guide rail, which can be disposed in a guide rail. Such a guide rail can be defined by an extruded profile. The first and second doors can be guided along the same guide rails, and the impact between the doors can be effectively managed with minimal complexity and cost. The door planes of the first and second doors can overlap. According to an embodiment, the soft-closing mechanism can be configured such that the first and second doors can reach a position where they abut each other.

[0004] According to one embodiment, the first door may include an end stop connector engaging toward a first guide end of the first door guide, and the first guide end of the first door guide may include a first guide end section connector configured to connect to the end stop connector of the first door, wherein the end stop connector of the first door and the first guide end section connector of the first door guide together define a soft closing mechanism configured to gradually brake the movement of the first door along the guide axis.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the second door may include a first auxiliary connector engaging toward a second guide end of the first door guide, the first auxiliary connector being configured to connect to the second auxiliary connector, wherein the first and second auxiliary connectors define a soft-closing mechanism configured to gradually brake relative movement along the guide axis between the second door and an object carrying the second auxiliary connector. The auxiliary connector may define an end stop connector; that is, the second auxiliary connector may be an end stop connector fixedly disposed at a second end of the first door guide. Alternatively, the auxiliary connector may define a door connector; that is, the second auxiliary connector may be carried by a third door, which is guided by the first door guide and is movable independently of the first and second doors along the guide axis.

[0006] According to an embodiment, the first door may include a first end guide shuttle guided by the first door guide and a second end guide shuttle guided by the first door guide.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the second end connector of the first door may be defined by a second end guide shuttle of the first door. Alternatively, the second end connector of the first door and the second end guide shuttle may be constructed as separate devices.

[0008] Similarly, according to an embodiment, the end stop connector of the first door may be defined by a first end guide shuttle of the first door. Alternatively, the end stop connector and the first end guide shuttle may be constructed as separate devices.

[0009] According to an embodiment, the second door may include a first end guide shuttle guided by the first door guide and a second end guide shuttle guided by the first door guide.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the first end connector of the second door may be defined by a first end guide shuttle of the second door. Alternatively, the first end connector and the first end guide shuttle of the second door may be constructed as separate devices.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first auxiliary connector of the second door may be defined by the second end guide shuttle of the second door. Alternatively, the first auxiliary connector and the first end guide shuttle of the second door may be constructed as separate devices.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the first end connector of the second door may define a first type of connector interface, and the second end connector of the first door may define a second type of connector interface different from the first type. This reduces the risk of incorrect assembly of the guided sliding door assembly. Alternatively, the connector interfaces of the first and second end connectors may be of the same type. The first and second types may include, for example, a self-retracting device and a self-retracting device actuator, or the first and second types may include, for example, a self-retracting device actuator and a self-retracting device.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the end stop connector of the first door can define a connector interface of one type (first type) and another type (second type), and the first guide end connector can define a connector interface of the other type (first type) and another type (second type). By using the same type of connector interface for the end stop and the door connector, the number of different components required for the guided sliding door assembly can be kept small.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the end stop connector of the first door can define a connector interface of the first type, and the first guide end connector can define a connector interface of the second type.

[0015] According to the implementation, the first auxiliary connector can be of the first type. This arrangement is particularly useful in configurations where the first auxiliary door connector is an end stop connector, wherein the end stop connectors for the first door and the second door can be of the same type.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first type of connector interface may include a self-retracting device configured to pull itself toward the second type of connector interface once engaged with it. The second type of connector interface may include a self-retracting device actuator configured to attach to the self-retracting device.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the self-retractor may include a body and a retraction biasing element coupled to an initiator catcher, and a second type of connector interface may include a self-retractor initiator configured to engage with the initiator catcher to release the retraction biasing element from a pre-tensioned latch position to pull the self-retractor toward the second type of connector interface.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the starter catcher is movable along a guide axis relative to the body of the self-retracting unit. Alternatively or additionally, according to embodiments, the starter catcher is capable of resisting a braking bias relative to the body of the self-retracting unit. The braking bias can brake the movement of the first and second doors toward each other, thereby mitigating the impact between the doors. The braking bias can be generated by a damper.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first door may include a second end guide shuttle guided in a shuttle guide track of the first door guide; the second door may include a first end guide shuttle guided in the shuttle guide track; and one of the second end section connector of the first door and the first end section connector of the second door may include a connector starter guided by a connector starter guide track adjacent to the shuttle guide track. The connector starter may be a self-retracting starter as defined above. According to one embodiment, the connector starter guide track may open toward the shuttle guide track via an starter gap, allowing the connector starter to engage with the other of the second end section connector of the first door and the first end section connector of the second door. The connector starter guide track may be vertically aligned with the shuttle guide track, allowing the connector starter to run along the respective guide shuttle in the same horizontal plane. This arrangement is particularly effective in terms of height.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the door guide assembly may further include an initial position connector that defines an initial door position at an intermediate location between a first guide end and a second guide end. The initial position connector is configured to automatically and releasably connect to at least one of the first and second doors upon reaching the initial door position. This arrangement allows the door to be positioned in one or more predetermined positions, such as a closed position, without depending on the end position of the first door guide. This provides a particularly versatile guided sliding door assembly. The initial position connector can connect to, for example, a guide shuttle or a shuttle connector as defined herein.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the initial position connector may be configured to connect to at least one of the first door and the second door via a snap-fit ​​action.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the initial position connector may be configured to connect to the at least one of the first and second doors when the at least one of the first and second doors arrives at the initial position connector from any direction along the first door guide. Similarly, the initial position connector may be configured to release the at least one of the first and second doors when the at least one of the first and second doors is pushed away from the initial position connector in any disconnection direction along the first door guide.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the initial position connector can be configured to automatically release the first door and the at least one of the second door when pressed in a direction along the guide axis by a force exceeding the initial position release limiting force.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the second end connector of the first door can be configured such that, when engaged with the first end connector of the second door, it is attached to the first end connector of the second door, and when the first and second doors are pressed apart along the guide axis by a disconnection force exceeding the door disconnection limit force, it is automatically released from the first end connector of the second door. The initial position release limit force exceeds the door disconnection limit force, allowing the first and second doors to be pulled apart by connecting one of the first and second doors to the initial position and then moving the other away from the initial position. This facilitates door rearrangement, as the connected doors can be easily opened by attaching one to the initial position and then pulling the other away from the door held in the initial position.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the initial position connector can be repositioned along the guide axis so that the initial position can be repositioned axially. Therefore, the guided sliding door assembly can be adapted particularly easily to different installation conditions.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the guiding assembly may define an initial position connector guide, and the initial position connector may include an initial position connector clamping member configured to clamp the initial position connector to the initial position connector guide. Thus, the initial position connector can be clamped to the initial position connector guide at any axial position. The initial position connector guide may extend in the same direction as the guiding axis. The initial position connector guide may be defined by a guide rail. According to one embodiment, the first door guide and the initial position connector guide may be defined by different portions of the same guide rail.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the initial position connector guide may be defined by an initial position connector guide rail, and the initial position connector clamping member may include an elongated clamping element extending in the extension direction, wherein the clamping element is capable of being inserted into the initial position connector guide rail in an insertion direction perpendicular to the initial position connector guide rail when the clamping element extends in an extension direction parallel to the initial position connector guide rail; and is capable of being locked to the initial position connector guide rail by rotating the clamping element about a locking axis parallel to the insertion direction. This arrangement provides a particularly simple and convenient way to attach and reposition the initial position connector.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the first door guide may be defined by a top guide configured to guide the respective top edge portions of the first and second doors. This positions many functions in a less conspicuous location and does not increase the size of the bottom guide rail or otherwise make it more difficult for objects such as people or wheels to pass through.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the bottom edge portions of the first and second doors may include corresponding support devices, such as wheels, configured to bear the weight of the first and second doors as they move along the first door guide. The wheels may be configured to roll within the bottom guide or directly on the floor of the room where the guided sliding door assembly is mounted. The guide assembly may be mounted on or near the ceiling to define a floor-to-ceiling guided sliding door assembly.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the first door may include: a door leaf; a guide shuttle that guides within a shuttle guide track of the first door guide; and a shuttle connector configured to connect the door leaf to the guide shuttle, wherein the shuttle connector is capable of connecting to the guide shuttle when the guide shuttle is positioned in the guide track. This facilitates the assembly of the guided sliding door assembly. According to another embodiment, the first door may include: a door leaf; a guide shuttle that guides within a shuttle guide track of the first door guide; and a shuttle connector configured to connect the door leaf to the guide shuttle, wherein the shuttle connector is configured to snap-fit ​​into the guide shuttle. Thus, with the first door guide installed in its final position, the door leaf of the first door can be easily connected to the corresponding guide shuttle. The shuttle connector can connect to the corresponding guide shuttle in a connection direction transverse to the guide axis, for example, in a generally vertical connection direction. Alternatively or additionally, the second door may also include: a corresponding door leaf; a corresponding guide shuttle that guides within a shuttle guide track of the first door guide; and a corresponding shuttle connector configured to connect the door leaf to the guide shuttle, wherein the shuttle connector is configured to snap-fit ​​into the corresponding guide shuttle. According to an embodiment, each door may include a corresponding first end guide shuttle and a corresponding second end guide shuttle, and a corresponding guide shuttle connector configured to snap-fit ​​into the guide shuttle.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the first door may include: a door leaf; a guide shuttle that guides the door leaf in a shuttle guide track of the first door guide; and a shuttle connector configured to connect the door leaf to the guide shuttle, wherein the door leaf includes a shuttle connector guide that guides the shuttle connector along a vertical guide axis. This arrangement allows for easy installation and adjustment of the door. Typically, the connector guide may be configured to guide the shuttle connector within a vertical guide range greater than 20 mm, for example, greater than 40 mm. Typically, the guide range may be less than 150 mm. Such a range can accommodate most variations in installation conditions.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the door guide assembly may also be configured to define a second door guide extending along a horizontal guide axis parallel to the first door guide. The guided sliding door assembly further includes a second door device assembly comprising a corresponding first door assembly configured to define a first door guided by the second door guide, such that the first and second door device assemblies together define a bypass door assembly. Furthermore, the second door guide may be defined by a corresponding guide rail, which may be disposed in a guide rail. The guided sliding door assembly may also include a third door guide guiding a third door device comprising one or more corresponding doors as described herein with reference to the first and second door device assemblies. One or more doors of the second door device assembly are movable independently of the doors of the first door device assembly along the entire length of the second door guide. The first door guide, the second door guide, and any third or additional door guides, as well as any initial position connector guides, may be defined by a single guide rail.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the second door device may further include a corresponding second door assembly configured to define a second door guided by the second door guide, wherein the second door guide is configured with necessary modifications based on the first door guide, and the first door assembly and the second door assembly of the second door device are configured with necessary modifications based on the first door assembly and the second door assembly of the first door device, as defined in any aspect and embodiment described above.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the initial position connector can be configured to attach between the first door guide and the second door guide. Thus, the initial position connector can be arranged such that it can engage with a door guided by either or both of the first and second door guides. According to another embodiment, the initial position connector may include a door connector interface for connecting to a respective door, wherein the initial position connector can be attached between the first and second door guides such that the door connector interface of the initial position connector faces either the first or second door guide.

[0035] According to a second aspect, a guided sliding door assembly is provided, comprising a door guide assembly and a first door device assembly. The door guide assembly is configured to define a first door guide extending along a horizontal guide axis from a first guide end to a second guide end. The first door device assembly includes a corresponding first door assembly configured to define a first door, which is guided by the first door guide to be movable along the guide axis. The first door extends in a vertical door plane along the guide axis. The door guide assembly includes an initial position connector configured to define an initial door position at an intermediate position between the first and second guide ends. The initial position connector is configured to automatically and releasably connect to the first door upon reaching the initial door position. The intermediate position may be located at a distance from any door connector that defines an end stop at the guide end. The initial position connector can be constructed according to an initial position connector of any embodiment defined above. Similarly, the door guide assembly, the first door device assembly, and / or the entire guided sliding door assembly can be constructed according to any aspect and embodiment of the door guide assembly, the first door device assembly, and / or the guided sliding door assembly as defined above and in any aspect and embodiment.

[0036] According to a third aspect, a guided sliding door assembly is provided, the guided sliding door assembly including a door guide assembly and a first door device assembly, the door guide assembly being configured to define a first door guide extending along a horizontal guide axis, the first door device assembly including a corresponding first door assembly configured to define a first door, the first door being guided by the first door guide to be movable guideably along the guide axis, the first door extending in a vertical door plane along the guide axis; wherein the first door guide is defined by a top guide configured to guide a top edge portion of the first door, and wherein the first door includes: a door leaf; a guide shuttle guided in a shuttle guide track of the first door guide; and a shuttle connector configured to connect the door leaf to the guide shuttle, wherein the door leaf includes a shuttle connector guide guiding the shuttle connector along a vertical guide axis, and wherein the shuttle connector is configured to snap-fit ​​into the guide shuttle. Similarly, the door guide assembly, the first door device assembly, and / or the entire guided sliding door assembly can be constructed according to any aspect and embodiment of the door guide assembly, the first door device assembly, and / or the guided sliding door assembly as defined above and in any aspect and embodiment.

[0037] According to a variation of the fourth aspect, a guided sliding door assembly is provided, comprising a door guide assembly and a first door device assembly. The door guide assembly is configured to define a first door guide extending along a horizontal guide axis. The first door device assembly includes a corresponding first door assembly configured to define a first door, which is guided by the first door guide to be guideably movable along the guide axis. The first door extends in a vertical door plane along the guide axis. The first door includes: a door leaf; a guide shuttle configured to guide in a shuttle guide track of the first door guide; and a shuttle connector movable in a vertical direction to connect the door leaf to the guide shuttle when the guide shuttle is positioned in the guide track. This arrangement facilitates the installation of the guided sliding door assembly. The shuttle connector can be vertically movably arranged on the door leaf for connection with the guide shuttle. Alternatively, the shuttle connector can be vertically and movably arranged on the guide shuttle for connection to the door leaf. Preferably, the shuttle connector is configured to connect to either the door leaf or the guide shuttle without tools.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the door leaf may include a shuttle connector guide that guides the shuttle connector along a vertical guide axis. The vertical guidance of the shuttle connector bridges different gap ranges between the door leaf and the guide shuttle, which can vary depending on local installation conditions. According to another embodiment, the shuttle connector guide may be configured to guide the shuttle connector with a strictly translating motion. The vertical distance traveled by the shuttle connector during the translating motion may be, for example, between 10 mm and 70 mm. As an exemplary alternative to the vertically guided shuttle connector, the shuttle connector may be pivotally mounted, for example, on the door leaf and vertically pivoted to engage with the shuttle connector.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the first door guide may be defined by a top guide configured to guide the top edge portion of the first door.

[0040] According to an implementation, the shuttle connector can be configured to snap into the guide shuttle.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the shuttle connector can be configured such that, when a door leaf is connected to a guide shuttle, a vertical clearance is possible between the door leaf and the guide shuttle. According to one embodiment, the vertical clearance can exceed 3 mm. Such a range can facilitate moderate adjustment of the vertical position of the door leaf relative to the shuttle guide track, and / or can bridge different clearance ranges between the door leaf and the guide shuttle. According to another embodiment, the vertical clearance can exceed 5 mm or even 7 mm. Optionally, the vertical clearance can have an upper limit. For example, the vertical clearance can be less than 60 mm. A clearance less than 60 mm can improve the stability of the door leaf in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the door plane. According to another embodiment, the vertical clearance can be less than 40 mm. The vertical clearance can be obtained, for example, by arranging the shuttle connector in the shuttle connector guide at one of the door leaf and the guide shuttle, thereby enabling the vertical translation of the shuttle connector. The shuttle connector can remain guided throughout the entire vertical range defined by the vertical clearance.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the shuttle connector can be configured to form an axially rigid connection between the door panel and the guide shuttle relative to a horizontal guide axis. For example, any axial flexibility of any snap-fit ​​engagement between the shuttle connector and the guide shuttle, depending on the circumstances, can be supplemented by an additional axially rigid support interface between the shuttle connector and the guide shuttle.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the shuttle guide rail may include a guide rail opening facing the vertical direction, wherein the shuttle connector can be connected to the guide shuttle via the guide rail opening.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the guide shuttle can be configured as a connector forming part of a soft-closing mechanism that is configured to gradually brake the movement of the door leaf. For example, the guide shuttle may include one of a self-retractor and a self-retractor actuator, configured to be coupled to the other. The self-retractor may include a retraction biasing element, such as a spring, configured to pull the self-retractor toward the self-retractor actuator. According to another embodiment, the soft-closing mechanism can be configured to gradually brake the movement of the door by means of a damper.

[0045] According to a fourth aspect, a method is provided for connecting a sliding door leaf to a door guide assembly including a top guide and a bottom guide, the door leaf including a bottom edge portion provided with a set of support devices such as wheels and a top edge portion provided with a guide shuttle connector configured to connect to a guide shuttle guided by the top guide, the method comprising: positioning the support devices in the bottom guide; aligning the guide shuttle connector with the top guide; and sliding the guide shuttle connector vertically upward to engage with the guide shuttle. This method can be combined with any of the devices and assemblies defined above according to the first to third aspects. For example, at least one of the guide shuttles may include a self-retracting element of a soft-closing mechanism.

[0046] It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention can be embodied through all possible combinations of the features recited in the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that all embodiments of the guided sliding door assembly according to the first aspect can be combined with embodiments of the guided sliding door assembly according to the second and third aspects. Moreover, the various embodiments described above with respect to the apparatus of the first, second, and third aspects can be combined with the method as defined in the fourth aspect, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, in which the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a guided sliding door assembly, which includes a guide assembly that guides two pairs of doors arranged in a bypass configuration.

[0049] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partially exploded perspective view of the top portion of a guided sliding door assembly, illustrating that the top guide rail of the guide assembly is pulled away from the door to expose the guide shuttle of the door in the top guide rail.

[0050] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the adjacent top corners of the first and second doors of the first pair of doors, the first and second doors being separated along a top guide rail, wherein the top guide rail is shown in cross-section to expose the respective guide shuttle of the respective door, the guide shuttle being configured as a door connector, the door connectors being configured to connect with each other, wherein the door connector of the second door is configured as a self-retracting device, and the door connector of the first door is configured as a self-retracting device actuator.

[0051] Figure 4A It is as seen from a first-person perspective. Figure 3 Exploded view of the self-retracting device;

[0052] Figure 4B It is as seen from a second-person perspective. Figure 4A Exploded view of the self-retracting device;

[0053] Figure 5A As seen below Figure 3 The cross-section of the top guide rail and door connector, which runs along the section formed by... Figure 3 The line VV indicates the horizontal plane cutoff, where the view illustrates... Figure 3 The door connectors are in a first mutual state along the guide axis defined by the top guide rail, which corresponds to the doors moving independently toward each other along the guide axis;

[0054] Figure 5B In corresponding Figure 5A The view illustrates the second mutual state along the guide axis. Figure 5A The second mutual state of the door connectors corresponds to the door connectors having reached each other along the guide axis and beginning to connect with each other;

[0055] Figure 5C In corresponding Figure 5A The view illustrates the third mutual state along the guide axis. Figure 5A The third mutual state of the door connector is a partially connected state, in which the self-retracting connector pulls itself toward the self-retracting actuator.

[0056] Figure 5D In corresponding Figure 5A The view illustrates the fourth mutual state along the guide axis. Figure 5A The fourth mutual state of the door connector is the fully connected state, in which the first door and the second door are stationary against each other, and the door connectors are statically offset toward each other.

[0057] Figure 5E In corresponding Figure 5AThe view illustrates the fifth mutual state along the guide axis. Figure 5A The fifth mutual state of the door connector is a partially disconnected connection state, in which the first door and the second door are manually moved away from each other, so that the self-retractor is pulled away from the self-retractor actuator against the attraction bias between the door connectors.

[0058] Figure 5F In corresponding Figure 5A The view illustrates the sixth mutual state along the guide axis. Figure 5A The sixth mutual state of the door connector corresponds to the point where the first and second doors have separated to the point where the self-retractor is released from the self-retractor initiator.

[0059] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates a cross-section of the top guide rail, a pair of side cover trim strips attached to the top guide rail, and a support beam that carries the top guide rail. This cross-section runs along... Figure 2 The line VI-VI indicated in the middle is cut off;

[0060] Figure 7 This is a partially exploded perspective view of the first guide end of the top guide rail;

[0061] Figure 8 Is Figure 1 The bottom guide rail of the guide component guides Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the bottom corner of the first door, with the bottom guide rail shown in cross-section;

[0062] Figure 9 yes Figure 3 The first door is partially exploded perspective view, which shows the door leaf, the self-retracting type guide shuttle, the self-retracting starter type guide shuttle, and two shuttle connectors for connecting the door leaf to the guide shuttle.

[0063] Figure 10A It is the door leaf and Figure 9 A perspective view of the engagement area between the self-retracting actuator starter guide shuttle components, showing the self-retracting actuator starter guide shuttle component positioned before connecting the corresponding shuttle connector to the self-retracting actuator guide shuttle component inside the top guide rail. Figure 6 Inside the top guide rail;

[0064] Figure 10B This occurs after the shuttle connector is connected to the self-retracting guide shuttle inside the top guide rail. Figure 10A A three-dimensional view of the joint area;

[0065] Figure 11A yes Figure 2A perspective view of a portion of the top guide rail and an exploded view of the initial position connector including the clamping elements, illustrating the initial position connector in a position disconnected from the top guide rail.

[0066] Figure 11B Corresponding to Figure 11A The view shows the connector in its initial position, clamped to the top guide rail;

[0067] Figure 12A Corresponding to Figure 11B The view, in which all components except the clamping element are shown in dashed lines, and all components of the initial position connector except the clamping element are transparent, illustrates the positioning of the connector. Figure 11B The initial position connector at the intended attachment location, wherein the clamping element is illustrated before being twisted to the locking position inside the top guide rail;

[0068] Figure 12B Corresponding to Figure 12A The view illustrates the clamping element after it has been twisted into the locked position inside the top guide rail;

[0069] Figure 13 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a guidance component that guides movement in the direction toward the initial position. Figure 3 The first door, in which the enlarged diagram illustrates the attachments to it. Figure 11B A portion of the top guide rail of the initial position connector and a guide shuttle connector according to the second embodiment, the shuttle connector moving along the top guide rail from a position where it is not connected to the initial position connector to a position where it is engaged with the initial position connector; and

[0070] Figure 14 Is it to Figure 6 The side cover trim strip is connected to the top guide rail during the process. Figure 1 A perspective view of the guided sliding door assembly, and two enlarged views illustrating the first guide end of the top guide rail before and after the side trim strip is attached to the top guide rail.

[0071] All accompanying drawings are schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale, and generally only show the components necessary to illustrate the implementation, while other components may be omitted. Detailed Implementation

[0072] Figure 1A guided sliding door assembly 10 is illustrated, comprising a plurality of doors 12a-12d guided by a guide assembly 14. The guide assembly 14 includes a top guide rail 16 attached to a ceiling (not shown) of a room (not shown) and a bottom guide rail 18 attached to a floor (not shown) of the room; thus, the guided sliding door assembly 10 is a floor-to-ceiling guided sliding door assembly. The plurality of doors includes a first door assembly 10a comprising a first door 12a and a second door 12b, and a second door assembly 10b comprising a third door 12c and a fourth door 12d. The top guide rail 16 extends from a first guide end 16a to a second guide end 16b and includes a first top guide rail 20a and a second top guide rail 20b. The first top guide rail 20a defines a first guide axis G1 extending in a horizontal direction, and the second top guide rail 20b defines a second guide axis G2 extending parallel to the first guide axis G1. Similar to the top guide rail 16, the bottom guide rail 18 includes a first bottom guide rail 22a and a second bottom guide rail 22b.

[0073] Each of the first door 12a and the second door 12b includes a corresponding door leaf 13 extending along a first vertical plane P1, and each of the third door 12c and the fourth door 12d includes a corresponding door leaf 13 extending along a second vertical plane P2. Each of the first door 12a and the second door 12b has a corresponding top edge portion 24 guided by a first top guide rail 20a of a top guide rail 16 and a corresponding bottom edge portion 26 guided by a first bottom guide rail 22a of a bottom guide rail 18, such that the first door 12a and the second door 12b are movable in a guided manner along a first guide axis G1. Similarly, each of the third door 12c and the fourth door 12d has a corresponding top edge portion 24 guided by a second top guide rail 20b of a top guide rail 16 and a corresponding bottom edge portion 26 guided by a second bottom guide rail 22b of a bottom guide rail 18, such that the second door 12c and the third door 12d are movable in a guided manner along a second guide axis G2. Thus, the first door device 10a is guided independently of the second door device 10b, allowing door devices 10a and 10b to pass freely through each other along their respective guide axes G1 and G2. In this way, the guided sliding door assembly 10 defines the bypass door assembly. Figure 1 The guided sliding door assembly 10 is shown in an assembled form; however, it should be understood that the guided sliding door assembly claimed herein can also be well defined by a set of components configured to be assembled into the guided door device described herein. Although the guided sliding door assembly 10 of the illustrated embodiment includes four doors 12a-12d, the guided sliding door assembly 10 may include a different number of doors, i.e., more or fewer doors.

[0074] Figure 2 The top portion of the guided sliding door assembly 10 is illustrated, with doors 12a-12d shown separated from the top guide rail 16. The first door 12a has a corresponding first door end 28a facing the first guide end 16a and a corresponding second door end 30a facing the second guide end 16b. At the first end 28a of the first door, the first door 12a has a corresponding first end connector 32a that engages in the direction toward the first guide end 16a of the top guide rail 16. The first end connector 32a of the first door 12a is an end stop connector configured to connect at the first guide end 16a to a guide end section connector (not shown) in a manner that will be further explained below.

[0075] At the second end 30a of the first door 12a, the first door 12a has a corresponding second end connector 34a, which engages in the direction toward the second guide end 16b of the top guide rail 16. The second end connector 34a of the first door 12a is a door connector configured to be connected to a mating connector of the second door 12b in a manner that will be further explained below. The first end connector 32a and the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a are attached to the top of the door leaf 13 of the first door 12a.

[0076] Similarly, the second door 12b has a first door end 28b facing the first guide end 16a and a second door end 30b facing the second guide end 16b. At the first end 28b of the second door 12b, the second door 12b has a corresponding first end connector 32b, which engages in the direction toward the first guide end portion 16a of the top guide rail 16. The first end connector 32b of the second door 12b is a door connector configured to be releasably connected to the second end connector 34a of the first door 12b. Figure 2In the view, the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b and the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a are shown in the connected position. At the second end 30b of the second door 12b, the second door 12b has a corresponding second end connector 34b, which engages in the direction toward the second guide end 16b of the top guide rail 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end connector 34b of the second door 12b is an end stop connector configured to connect to the guide end connector (not shown) at the second guide end 16b. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the second end connector 34b may instead be a door connector configured to connect to another door guided in the first guide rail 20a on the second end side of the second door 12b. The first end connector 32b and the second end connector 34b are attached to the top of the door leaf 13 of the second door 12b.

[0077] The first end connector 32a and the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a, and the first end connector 32b and the second end connector 34b of the second door 12b are also configured to form a first top guide rail 20a. Figure 1 It is guided in so that it can be used only along the first guide axis G1 of the top guide rail 16. Figure 1 The first end connectors 32a, 32b and the second end connectors 34a, 34b move in the direction of the first end connectors 32a, 32b and the second end connectors 34a, 34b, and depending on the context, are therefore also referred to as the first end guide shuttle 32a, 32b and the second end guide shuttle 34a, 34b. However, it should be understood that the guiding function and the connecting function can alternatively be separated into different devices.

[0078] Figure 3 The top portion of the first door assembly 10a is illustrated, with the top guide rail 16 shown in cross-section to expose the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a and the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b within the first top guide rail 20a of the top guide rail 16. The door connectors / guide shuttles 34a and 32b are connected to the respective door panels 13 via corresponding guide shuttle connectors 36.

[0079] The first end connector 32b of the second door 12b defines a first type of connector interface, and the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a defines a second type of connector interface. Connectors 32b and 34a together define a soft-closing mechanism configured to gradually brake the relative movement between the first door 12a and the second door 12b along a first guide axis G1 as the first door 12a and the second door 12b move toward each other in the collision direction indicated by arrow C. The first type of connector interface includes a self-retracting device 38, and the second type of connector interface includes a self-retracting device actuator 40, wherein the self-retracting device 38 is configured to pull itself toward the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a once engaged with the self-retracting device actuator 40. The self-retracting device actuator 40 is located at the distal end of the self-retracting device actuator tongue 42 of the second end connector of the first door 12a. (Return to reference) Figure 2 The first end connector 32a of the first gate 12a defines a first type of connector interface facing the first guide end 16a, and the second end connector 34b of the second gate 12b defines a first type of connector interface facing the second guide end 16b.

[0080] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is an exploded view of the self-retracting device 38, illustrated by the first end connector 32b of the second gate 12b, as seen from two different perspectives. Again, each of the first end connector 32a of the first gate 12a and the second end connector 34b of the second gate 12b can be identical to the first end connector 32b of the second gate 12b. Figure 2 ).

[0081] The first end connector 32b of the second door 12b includes a housing 70, which has a first guide end 16a facing the first guide end 16a. Figure 1 The door leaf connector end 64 and the second guide end 16b facing the top guide rail 16 ( Figure 1 The damping device end 66 of the door leaf connector is provided with a door leaf connector 62 at the end 64 of the door leaf connector. The door leaf connector 62 includes a first socket opening 62a and a second socket opening 62b. The two socket openings 62a and 62b are configured as through holes extending from the bottom surface 70a of the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b to the top surface 70b of the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b. The two socket openings 62a and 62b are separated by a partition post 62c. The door leaf connector 62 is functionally symmetrical, thereby allowing a shuttle connector (described further below) to be connected to the door leaf connector from either of the two opposite surfaces 63 and 65.

[0082] Within the housing 70 of the first end section connector 32b of the second door 12b, the first end section connector 32b includes a catcher bracket 82, which is provided with an starter catcher 86 and a starter retainer 88. Each of the starter catcher and the starter retainer protrudes from the housing 70 via an starter entry track 89 extending axially along the side 70c of the first end section connector 32b of the second door 12b. The catcher bracket 82 is movable and guided along and by a bracket guide 84, which includes a pair of bracket guides 84a and 84b formed side-by-side with each other in opposite bottom surfaces 70a and top surfaces 70b of the housing 70 of the first end section connector 32b of the second door 12b. The bracket guide 84 includes a straight portion 90 extending parallel to a first guide axis G1 and a curved latch portion 92 adjacent to the door leaf connector 62. The catcher bracket 82 is shaped and guided such that, when in the straight section 90, both the starter catcher 86 and the starter retainer 88 protrude from the first end section connector 32b of the second door 12b via the starter entry track 89 to a position sufficient to engage with the second end section connector 34a of the first door 12a. Figure 3 The self-retracting actuator 40 engages with the latching portion 92. However, when in the latching portion 92, the catcher bracket 82 presents a partially retracted position in which only the actuator catcher 86 protrudes from the first end section connector 32b of the second door 12b to a position sufficient to engage with the second end section connector 34a of the first door. Figure 3 The self-retracting actuator 40 engages. The catcher bracket 82 is connected to the housing 70 of the first end section connector 32b of the second door 12b via a spring 94 and a damper 96. The spring 94 biases the catcher bracket 82 away from the partially retracted position of the adjacent door leaf connector 62, and the damper 96 dampens the movement of the catcher bracket 82 along the bracket guide 84. Each of the spring 94 and the damper 96 has one end attached to the catcher bracket 82 and the damping end 66 adjacent to the first end section connector 32b of the second door 12b is securely attached to the other end of the housing 70 of the first end section connector 32b of the second door 12b.

[0083] Figures 5A to 5F The illustration shows the operation of the various components of the self-retracting device 38 of the first end connector 32b defining the second door 12b relative to the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a. It should be understood that the operation of the self-retracting devices of the first end connector 32a defining the first door 12a and the second end connector 34b defining the second door 12b relative to the corresponding guide end connectors of the top guide rail 16 can be the same.

[0084] Refer again Figures 5A to 5FThe first illustration shows the second gate 12b ( Figure 1 The case of a collision with the first gate 12a along the collision direction indicated by arrow C ( Figures 5A to 5D The operation under ) is illustrated, and then the case where the first door 12a and the second door 12b are pulled open is shown. Figures 5E to 5F The operation under ) . To clarify, the relative movement between the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b and the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a is assumed to be only the second door 12b ( Figure 1 ) is used to illustrate the movement; however, it should be understood that if the two doors 12a and 12b ( Figure 1 If both doors are moving, or if only the first door 12a is moving, then the interoperability between the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b and the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a will be the same. These cases are along with... Figure 3 The diagram is illustrated by a cross-sectional view taken from below, which is taken from the horizontal plane that coincides with the guide axis G1 indicated in the diagram.

[0085] exist Figure 5A In the location, the second door 12b ( Figure 3 ) Along the collision direction C toward the first gate 12a ( Figure 3 It moves manually and independently of the first door 12a along the first top guide rail 20a. In this position, the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b is in an unconnected state, in which the catcher bracket 82 is engaged with the bracket guide device 84. Figure 4A The latch portion 92 ( Figure 4A In the partially retracted position, the spring 94 is held in the extended / tensioned state by the locked catcher bracket 82. Figure 5A In the view, the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b is close to the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a. Consequently, the catcher bracket 82 approaches the self-retracting actuator 40 of the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a. With the catcher bracket 82 in the partially retracted position, the actuator catcher 86 enters the track 89 from the actuator. Figure 4A The initiator retainer 88 protrudes sufficiently to engage with the self-retracting initiator 40, while the initiator retainer 88 retracts fully to pass freely through the self-retracting initiator 40.

[0086] Figure 5B The illustration shows the moment when the initiator capture unit 86 engages with the self-retracting initiator unit 40.

[0087] Now refer to Figure 5C As the collision motion C continues, the self-retractor initiator 40 pulls the catcher bracket 82 from the bracket guide device 84 ( Figure 4AThe latch portion 92 is partially retracted to the straight portion 90 of the bracket guide device 84. Figure 4A ) into. Thus, the catcher bracket 82 pivots along the engagement direction E, causing the starter retainer 88 to also enter the track 89 from the starter. Figure 4A The self-retracting actuator 40 protrudes sufficiently to engage with the self-retracting actuator 86. In this position, the self-retracting actuator 40 is engaged between the actuator catcher 86 and the actuator retainer 88. Now along the bracket guide 84 ( Figure 4A The straight portion of 90 ( Figure 4A The freely movable catcher bracket 82 is pulled away from the door connector 62 by the bias B of the spring 94, thereby moving towards the second end connector 34a of the first door in the collision direction C. Figure 2 Pull the first door 12b ( Figure 2 The first end connector 32b is the door panel connector 62. The movement is damped by the damper 96.

[0088] Figure 5D The illustration shows the situation once the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b reaches its end position relative to the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a, corresponding to... Figure 2 The location shown. Second gate 12b ( Figure 2 Now it is against the first gate 12a ( Figure 2 The spring 94 is held in place, and the remaining bias B in the spring 94 maintains the pressure between the actuator retainer 88 and the self-retracting actuator 40, thereby maintaining the contact pressure between the doors 12a and 12b in the collision direction C. The bias B in the spring defines the door disconnection engagement limiting force that needs to be overcome in order to open the door.

[0089] exist Figure 5E In the middle, by moving the second door 12b along the opening direction OP of the first guide axis G1 while keeping the first door 12a stationary, the first door 12a and the second door 12b ( Figure 2 ) was manually pulled apart to resist bias B ( Figure 5D Still, the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b follows the movement of the second door 12b via the engagement between the door leaf connector 62 and the corresponding shuttle connector 36. The engagement between the self-retractor actuator 40 and the actuator retainer 88 causes the catcher bracket 82 to move along the bracket guide 84 ( Figure 4A The spring 94 is moved toward the door connector 62 in the spring tension direction T, thereby tensioning the spring 94.

[0090] Continue pulling the second door 12b along the opening direction (OP). Figure 2 ), and now refer to Figure 5F The catcher bracket 82 will reach the latch portion 92 of the bracket guide device 84. Figure 4A ) and pivots in the retraction direction R. Once in the retracted position, the actuator retainer 88 disengages from the self-retractor actuator 40, causing the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b to ( Figure 2 ) disengages again from the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a ( Figure 2 This allows the first door 12a and the second door 12b to move independently of each other along the first guide axis G1. The biasing of the spring 94 keeps the catcher bracket 82 locked in the partially retracted position until the next time doors 12a and 12b collide, which will bring us back to... Figure 5A The situation.

[0091] Figure 6 By Figure 2 The cross-sectional view shown in VI-VI illustrates the top guide rail 16. A first top guide rail 20a and a second top guide rail 20b are integrally formed within the top guide rail 16, which is constructed as, for example, an extruded profile made of metal. The bottom of the first top guide rail 20a is defined by a pair of support flanges 44a, 44b, which extend toward each other and form connector / guide shuttle elements 32a, 34a, 32b, 34b (…). Figure 3 ) provides a vertical support surface. These support flanges 44a, 44b define between them a downward-facing guide rail opening that operates as a door connecting rail 46, shuttle connector 36 ( Figure 3 ) when connected to the corresponding connector / guide shuttle parts 32a, 34a, 32b, 34b ( Figure 2 When extending through the opening of the guide rail, the first top guide rail 20a includes a shuttle guide rail 48a that guides the connector / guide shuttles 32a, 32b, and 34b having a first type of connector interface, and the body of the guide shuttle 34a having a second type of connector interface. The first top guide rail 20a also includes a connector actuator guide rail 48b that communicates with the shuttle guide rail 48a and guides the self-retracting actuator tongue 42 of the second end connector 34a of the first door 12a. Figure 3 The connector starter guide rail 48b is dovetail-shaped to securely guide the self-retracting starter 40. This also increases the stability of the self-retracting starter 40 in the direction along the first guide axis G1, which may be useful, for example, when the self-retracting starter 40 is made of a relatively soft material such as plastic.

[0092] The second top guide rail 20b has a similar shape and exactly the same function for guiding the second door device 10b. Figure 1The third gate 12c and the fourth gate 12d () Figure 1 Therefore, the second gate device 10b ( Figure 1 Doors 12c and 12d may be equipped with guide shuttles, which are designed to interact with the first door device 10a. Figure 1 The guide shuttle is constructed in the same manner as the guide shuttle. The top guide rail 16 also defines an initial position connector guide 50, the function of which will be further explained below. Similar to the first top guide rail 20a and the second top guide rail 20b, the initial position connector guide 50 is also defined by a guide rail 54. The initial position connector guide rail 54 has a bottom defined by a pair of support flanges 52a, 52b that extend toward each other and define a downward-facing initial position connector insertion gap between them. The side cover trim strip 56 snaps into the top guide rail 16, and the top guide rail is attached, in a manner not shown, to a top guide rail support beam 58 that can extend through the ceiling (not shown).

[0093] Figure 7 The diagram shows the first guide end 16a of the top guide rail 16. A corresponding first guide end connector 60a is provided at the first guide end 16a of the first top guide rail 20a, and is fixedly attached within the first guide rail 20a. The first guide end connector 60a is configured to connect to the first door 12a. Figure 2 End stop connector 32a ( Figure 2 The first guide end connector 60a, together with the end stop connector 32a of the first door 12a, defines a soft-closing mechanism configured to gradually brake and block the movement of the first door 12a upon reaching the first guide end 16a. For this purpose, the first guide end connector 60a has a connector interface of the second type, which includes a corresponding self-retracting actuator 40 positioned at the end of a self-retracting actuator tongue 42 inserted into the connector actuator guide rail 48b. The first guide end connector 60a, which may be integrally formed of, for example, plastic or metal, includes an end cap 71 press-fitted into and / or threadedly connected to the first guide end 16a of the first guide rail 20a, and the self-retracting actuator tongue 42 extends from the end cap 71 toward the second guide end 16b to retain the self-retracting actuator 40 at a distance from the first guide end 16a. The first guide end connector 60a is connected to the second end connector 34a of the first gate 12a described in detail above. Figure 2 The connection to the first end connector 32b of the second door 12b is exactly the same as the connection to the first door 12a. Figure 2 End stop connector 32a ( Figure 2 The diagram shows a similar first guide end connector 60b pulled out from the corresponding guide rail 20b, also positioned within the second guide rail 20b, to serve as the second door device 10b at the first guide end 16a. Figure 1 A soft-close function is provided. At the second guide end 16b of the top guide rail 16 ( Figure 2 A similar guide end connector (not shown) is provided at the location for gradually braking the second door 12b upon reaching the second guide end 16b. Figure 2 ) and its second gate device 10b ( Figure 1 12d, a related species in )

[0094] Figure 8 The diagram illustrates the lower corner of the second end 30a of the first door 12a as seen from the rear side of the door. A wheel 27 is provided on the bottom edge portion 26 of the first door 12a, resting in and being guided by the first bottom guide rail 22a of the bottom guide rail 18. The door leaf 13 can be vertically adjusted relative to the wheel 27 by rotating the adjusting screw 29—which rotates an eccentric device (not shown) that determines the vertical relationship between the door leaf 13 and the wheel 27. Similar adjustable wheels are arranged at the lower corners of the first end 28a of the first door 12a and at the lower corners of the second door 12b, the third door 12c, and the fourth door 12d.

[0095] Figure 9 The components connecting the door leaf 13 of the first door 12a to the corresponding first end guide shuttle / connector 32a and second end guide shuttle / connector 34a are illustrated separately. A shuttle connector 36 is provided at the top corner 24a of the first end of the door leaf 13, the shuttle connector 36 including a corresponding guide shaft 35 and a corresponding connector interface 37. The guide shaft 37 is configured to be guided in a shuttle connector guide (not shown) in the top portion of the door leaf 13 of the first door 12a, such that the shuttle connector 36 can be guided vertically translated relative to the door leaf 13. Thus, the shuttle connector 36 can connect upwards to bridge the vertical gap between the door leaf 13 and the corresponding guide shuttles 32a, 34a. An exemplary vertical translation range for the shuttle connector 36 can be, for example, between 10 mm and 70 mm. The connector interface 37 includes a configuration for entering a first receptacle opening 62a (…). Figure 4A The first support tongue 37a is configured to enter the second socket opening 62b. Figure 4A The second support tongue 37b and the snap connector 39 including resilient snap tongues 39a, 39b configured to releasably engage with the partition post 62c. Figure 4AWhen the connector interface 37 is pressed upward into the door connector 62 of the first end guide shuttle 32a, the snap-on tongues 39a and 39b are separated by the partition post 72 along the first guide axis G1. Figure 4A The latch tongues 39a and 39b are elastically pressed open in the horizontal direction and spring back to engage with the groove 61 in the partition post 62c. Although the latch tongues 39a and 39b are flexible in the direction of the first guide axis G1, the support tongues 37a and 37b provide auxiliary axial support along the first guide axis G1 between the door panel connector 62 and the connector interface 37 of the shuttle connector 36.

[0096] The second end guide shuttle 34a is provided with the same door leaf connector 62 as the door leaf connector 62 of the first end guide shuttle 32a, and the second end top corner 24b of the door leaf 13 is provided with the same vertical guide shuttle connector 36 for connecting to the door leaf connector 62 of the second end guide shuttle / door connector 34a.

[0097] After the door leaf 13 is connected to the corresponding guide shuttles 32a and 34a, the shuttle connector 36 can maintain vertical movement within the shuttle connector guide, which allows for vertical clearance between the door leaf 13 and the corresponding guide shuttles 32a and 34a. As the door 12a moves along the guide rails 16 and 18, the vertical clearance can accommodate a certain amount of distance variation between the top guide rail 16 and the bottom guide rail 18. The guide-type vertical clearance achieved by the guide connection can, for example, be between 3 mm and 60 mm.

[0098] Figure 10A and Figure 10B The illustration shows the door leaf 13 of the first door 12a with the corresponding first end guide shuttle / connector 32a and second end guide shuttle / connector 34a. Figure 9 The connection of the shuttle connector 36 at the top corner 24a of the first end to the guide shuttle member at the first end. It should be understood that the connection of the top corner 24b of the second end ( Figure 9 The shuttle connector 36 is connected to the second end guide shuttle 34a in exactly the same way, and the second door 12b ( Figure 2 The top corner of the door leaf 13 is also connected to the corresponding guide shuttle 32b, 34b in the same way. Obviously, with necessary modifications, this can also be applied to the third door 12c and the fourth door 12d. Before connecting the top edge portion of the door leaf 13 to the guide shuttle 32a, 34a, the wheel 27 of the bottom edge portion 26 of the door leaf (… Figure 8 The first bottom guide rail 22a is positioned on the bottom guide rail 18. Figure 8 In the middle. Door leaf 13 pivots about the pivot axis defined by the engagement between wheel 27 and first guide rail 22a. Figure 10A In this position, the connector interface 37 of the shuttle connector 36 of the first end top corner 24a of the first door 12a is aligned with the door leaf connector 62 of the first guide shuttle 32a of the first door 12a.

[0099] Upon arrival Figure 10A After reaching the position shown, the shuttle connector 36 is pushed upward via the pusher 17. During this movement, the guide piston 35 is guided along the vertical guide axis indicated by arrow A by the shuttle connector guide 41 defined by a pair of opposing guide elements 41a, 41b. Once reached... Figure 10B In the vertical position shown, connector interface 37 will snap into place with door panel connector 62 of the first guide shuttle 32a. Figure 10A The shuttle connector guide 41 guides the shuttle connector 36 within a vertical guide range of approximately 50 mm. Thus, the vertically movable shuttle connector 36 can occupy a considerable clearance between the top edge of the door leaf 13 and the top guide rail 16. The shuttle connector 36 can also remain vertically movable during use of the sliding door to follow the guide assembly 14 ( Figure 1 It compensates for any difference in vertical distance between the top guide 16 and the bottom guide 18 along the guide range of the first gate 12a.

[0100] Turn now Figure 11A and Figure 11B The guide assembly 14 includes an initial position connector 43, which can be attached to the top guide rail 16 at any position along the length of the top guide rail 16. The initial position connector 43 can be used at an intermediate position between the first guide end 16a and the second guide end 16b for doors 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d (…). Figure 1 Any of the following defines the initial position such that upon reaching the initial position connector, the corresponding gates 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d automatically connect to and are blocked by the initial position connector 43. The initial position connector 43 can be attached to the initial position connector guide rail 50 by inserting the clamping element 45 of the initial position connector 43 into the initial position connector guide 50 and clamping the clamping element 45 against the upper surfaces of the support flanges 52a, 52b by tightening the clamping screw 47. When the clamping screw 47 is tightened, a pair of aligned shoulders 49a, 49b of the body 49 of the initial position connector 43 reach into the initial position connector guide rail 54 and are supported against the support flanges 52a, 52b, thereby preventing the body 49 of the initial position connector 43 from rotating with the clamping screw 47. Figure 11AAs shown in the view, the clamping element 45 has a length L along the extension direction of the initial position guide rail 54, which exceeds the free width W between the support flanges 52a and 52b, such that when the extension direction of the clamping element 45 extends parallel to the initial position connector guide rail 54, the clamping element 45 can be inserted into the initial position connector guide rail 54, and when the clamping element 45 is rotated to a position where its extension direction is transverse to the initial position connector guide rail 54 by rotating the clamping screw, the clamping element 45 is locked to the initial position connector guide rail.

[0101] exist Figure 12A and Figure 12B The attachment of the initial position connector 43 is illustrated more clearly in the transparent view. First, the initial position connector is positioned below the top guide rail 16, such that the clamping element 45 extends into the initial position connector guide 50, as... Figure 12A As shown in the view. After that, and now move to... Figure 12B The clamping screw 47 is tightened clockwise, thereby twisting the clamping element 45 about the vertical axis to a position where the clamping element is vertically locked inside the connector guide 50 in its initial position. When in Figure 12B When in the position, the clamping screw 47 can be further tightened until the support flanges 52a, 52b are securely clamped between the clamping element 45 and the body 49 of the initial position connector 43.

[0102] Return to reference Figure 11B The initial position connector 43 has a door connector interface 51 facing the first guide rail 20a of the top guide rail 16. However, as according to Figure 11A and Figure 11B It is evident that the initial position connector 43 is functionally symmetrical in the first sense, as it can alternatively be connected in the position (not shown) where the door connector interface 51 faces the second guide rail 20b. The door connector interface 51 includes a first spring arm 51a and a second spring arm 51b, configured to elastically bend in a bending direction F away from the first guide rail 20a against the inherent bias of the spring arms 51a, 51b, which is perpendicular to the first guide axis G1. As seen along the first guide axis G1, the first spring arm 51a has a relatively flat connecting side 53a and a relatively steep locking side 55a, the connecting side 53a facing the first guide end 16a in the illustrated position, and the locking side 55a facing the second guide end 16b. Similarly, the second spring arm 51b has a relatively flat connecting side 53b facing the second guide end 16b and a relatively steep locking side 55b facing the first guide end 16a.

[0103] Figure 13 The illustration shows the operation of the initial position connector 43 when used to define the initial position of a door, such as a first door 12a. For this purpose, according to an alternative second embodiment, the first door is provided with a shuttle connector 136. The shuttle connector 136 according to the second embodiment is the same as the shuttle connector 36 according to the first embodiment described in further detail above, except that the shuttle connector 136 according to the second embodiment includes an initial position engagement element 57 configured to engage with the initial position connector 43. In the example shown, the shuttle connector at the top corner 24a of the first end is a shuttle connector 136 provided with the initial position engagement element 57 according to the second embodiment, while the top corner of the second end of the door leaf 13 may be provided with a shuttle connector 36 according to the first embodiment. Figure 13 The view does not show this in detail again. For clarity, Figure 13 The enlarged portion of the view is illustrated where the door leaf 13, the first end guide shuttle and the shuttle connector guide 41 are cut open to clearly expose the shuttle connector 136 and its interoperability with the initial position connector 43.

[0104] exist Figure 13 In the illustrated case, the first door 12a moves along the guide assembly 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the shuttle connector 136 moves along the first guide axis G1 toward the axial position of the initial position connector 43. Upon reaching the initial position connector 43, the initial position engagement element 57 of the shuttle connector 136 slides along the relatively flat connecting side 53a of the first spring arm 51a, and thus in the bending direction F (… Figure 11B Press the first spring arm 51a on the wall. Once the position between the spring arms 51a and 51b shown in the enlarged view surrounded by circle M has been reached, the first spring arm 51a is allowed to press against the wall. Figure 11B The arrow indicates that the bend direction F is reversed, causing the latch to return to its original position. Simultaneously, the initial position engaging element 57 is blocked by the relatively steep locking side 55b of the second spring arm 51b, causing the initial position engaging element 57 to be locked between the relatively steep locking sides 55a, 55b of the spring arms 51a, 51b. This also obviously blocks the movement of the first door 12a, which thus finds its initial position. The first door 12a can be released from its initial position by pushing it in any direction along the first guide axis G1 with a force exceeding the initial position release limiting force, which is determined in particular by the steepness of the locking sides 55a, 55b and the spring constants of the spring arms 51a, 51b. The initial position release limiting force can be adapted to exceed the force referenced above. Figure 5D The door disconnection engagement force B is described further.

[0105] As can be seen from the design of the initial position connector 43, the initial position connector 43 is also functionally symmetrical in a second sense, because the initial position connector 43 is configured to connect to the initial position connector engagement element 57 regardless of which direction the initial position connector engagement element 57 arrives at the initial position connector 43 from along the first guide axis G1. Similarly, when in the initial position, the initial position connector engagement element 57 can be released from the initial position connector 43 by pushing the door 12a in either direction along the first guide axis G1. It should be noted that, although Figure 13 The initial position engagement element 57 is arranged on the shuttle connector 136, but the initial position engagement element 57 can also be well arranged on any other part of the door 12a in any position suitable for engagement with the initial position connector 43. If only one door of each door assembly 10a, 10b is provided with an initial position engagement element, some advantages can be provided in terms of operational intuitiveness, while the other doors of the respective door assemblies 10a, 10b can find their respective initial positions by being directly or via other doors connected to the door with the initial position engagement element 57. However, by having multiple initial position engagement elements, or by positioning multiple initial position connectors 43 along the respective door guides, a single door can be given several initial positions. Similarly, more than one door of the door assemblies 10a, 10b can be provided with one or more initial position engagement elements 57.

[0106] Figure 14 The illustration shows the attachment of the side cover trim 56 to the top guide rail 16 to cover the top guide rail 16 and its attachment to the support beam 58. The side cover trim 56 is constructed as an extruded profile, which allows for tool-free attachment to the top guide rail 16 by pressing them vertically upwards, thereby snapping the extruded profile of the side cover trim 56 to the extruded profile of the top guide rail 16.

[0107] In summary, the above description particularly details the sliding door assembly 10, which includes: a door guide 20a extending along a horizontal guide axis G1; a first door 12a guided by the door guide 20a; and a second door 12b guided by the door guide 20a independently of the first door 12a, wherein the second door 12b includes a first end door connector 32b facing the door guide 20a. The first guide end 16a of the door 12a engages in the direction toward the second guide end 16b of the door guide 20a to connect to the first end connector 32b of the second door, wherein the first end connector 32b and the second end connector 34a together define a soft closing mechanism configured to gradually brake the relative movement between the first door 12a and the second door 12b.

[0108] The invention has been described above primarily with reference to some embodiments. Specifically, a soft-closing mechanism between a pair of doors arranged linearly to each other in a common guide has been described in detail. However, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, other embodiments besides those disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0109] For example, in the embodiment described in detail above, the soft-closing mechanism is arranged in the guide shuttle of the top guide rail. This is not necessary. Alternatively, the guide shuttle may have no other function than guiding the top of the door, and the soft-closing mechanism can be implemented as a separate component carried by the respective door. The soft-closing mechanism carried within the top guide rail has been described in detail. Alternatively, the soft-closing mechanism between in-line doors can be positioned, for example, within or near the bottom guide rail, or at any other suitable location where the doors meet. The doors have been described as being guided by guide shuttles arranged within the guide rail. This is not necessary; many other types of guides exist.

[0110] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple.

Claims

1. A guided sliding door assembly (10), comprising: A door guide assembly (14) is configured to define a first door guide (20a) that extends along a horizontal guide axis (G1) from a first guide end (16a) to a second guide end (16b). as well as The first door device assembly (10a) includes: A corresponding first door assembly, configured to define a first door (12a), the first door (12a) being guided by a first door guide (20a) to be movable along the guide axis (G1), the first door (12a) extending in a vertical door plane (P1) along the guide axis (G1); and A corresponding second door assembly is configured to define a second door (12b), which is guided by the first door guide (20a) to be movable independently of the first door (12a) along the guide axis (G1), and the second door (12b) extends in a vertical door plane (P1) along the guide axis (G1). The first door (12a) includes a second end connector (34a) that engages in a direction toward the second guide end (16b) of the first door guide (20a). The second end connector (34a) of the first door (12a) is configured to connect to the second door (12b). The second door (12b) includes a first end connector (32b) that engages in a direction toward the first guide end (16a) of the first door guide (20a), and the first end connector (32b) of the second door (12b) is configured to be connected to the second end connector (34a) of the first door (12a). The second end connector (34a) of the first door (12a) and the first end connector (32b) of the second door (12b) define a soft-closing mechanism configured to gradually brake the relative movement between the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) along the guide axis (G1). The first door (12a) includes a second end guide shuttle guided in a shuttle guide rail (48a) of the first door guide (20a); the second door (12b) includes a first end guide shuttle guided in the shuttle guide rail (48a); and one of the second end section connector (34a) of the first door (12a) and the first end section connector (32b) of the second door (12b) includes a connector starter guided by a connector starter guide rail (48b) adjacent to the shuttle guide rail (48a).

2. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 1, wherein... The first door (12a) includes an end stop connector (32a) that engages with the first guide end (16a) of the first door guide (20a), and The first guide end (16a) of the first door guide (20a) includes a first guide end connector (60a), which is configured to connect to the end stop connector (32a) of the first door (12a), wherein The end stop connector (32a) of the first door (12a) and the first guide end connector (60a) of the first door guide (20a) together define a soft closing mechanism configured to gradually brake the movement of the first door (12a) along the guide axis (G1).

3. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The second door (12b) includes a first auxiliary connector (34b) that engages with the second guide end (16b) of the first door guide (20a), the first auxiliary connector (34b) being configured to connect to a second auxiliary connector, wherein The first auxiliary connector and the second auxiliary connector define a soft-closing mechanism configured to gradually brake the relative movement between the second door (12b) and the object carrying the second auxiliary connector along the guide axis (G1).

4. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 2, wherein... The first gate (12a) includes: A first end guide shuttle guided by the first door guide (20a).

5. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The second end connector (34a) of the first door (12a) is defined by the second end guide shuttle of the first door (12a).

6. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The end stop connector (32a) of the first door (12a) is defined by the first end guide shuttle of the first door (12a).

7. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The second gate (12b) includes: The second end guide shuttle is guided by the first door guide (20a).

8. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The first end connector (32b) of the second door (12b) is defined by the first end guide shuttle of the second door (12b).

9. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The first auxiliary connector (34b) of the second door (12b) is defined by the second end guide shuttle of the second door (12b).

10. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The first end connector (32b) of the second door (12b) defines a first type of connector interface, and the second end connector (34a) of the first door (12a) defines a second type of connector interface, which is different from the first type.

11. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The end stop connector (32a) of the first door (12a) defines a connector interface of one type of the first type and the second type, and the first guide end connector (60a) defines a connector interface of the other type of the first type and the second type.

12. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The end stop connector (32a) of the first door (12a) defines a connector interface of the first type, and the first guide end connector (60a) defines a connector interface of the second type.

13. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The first auxiliary connector (34b) is an auxiliary connector of the first type.

14. The guided sliding door assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, The first type of connector interface includes a self-retracting device (38) configured to pull itself toward the second type of connector interface once engaged with it.

15. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 14, wherein, The self-retractor (38) includes a body (70) and a retraction bias element (94) coupled to an initiator catcher (86), and the second type of connector interface includes a self-retractor initiator (40) configured to engage with the initiator catcher (86) to release the retraction bias element (94) from a pre-tensioned latch position to pull the self-retractor (38) toward the second type of connector interface.

16. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 15, wherein, The initiator catcher (86) is movable relative to the body (70) of the self-retractor (38) along the guide axis (G1).

17. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The starter catcher (86) is capable of resisting the movement of the brake bias relative to the body (70) of the self-retractor (38).

18. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 17, wherein, The braking bias is generated by the damper (96).

19. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The door guide assembly (14) further includes an initial position connector (43) that defines an initial door position at an intermediate position between the first guide end (16a) and the second guide end (16b), the initial position connector (43) being configured to automatically and releasably connect to at least one of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) upon reaching the initial door position.

20. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 19, wherein, The initial position connector (43) is configured to be connected to at least one of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) by a snap-fit ​​action.

21. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, The initial position connector (43) is configured to connect to at least one of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) when the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) arrive at the initial position connector (43) from any direction along the first door guide (20a).

22. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, The initial position connector (43) is configured to automatically release the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) when at least one of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) is pressed in the direction along the guide axis (G1) by a force exceeding the initial position release limiting force.

23. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 22, wherein, The second end connector (34a) of the first door (12a) is configured to attach to the first end connector (32b) of the second door (12b) when engaged with the first end connector (32b) of the second door (12b), and to automatically release from the first end connector (32b) of the second door (12b) when the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) are pressed open along the guide axis (G1) by a disconnection force exceeding the door disconnection limit force (B), wherein the initial position release limit force exceeds the door disconnection limit force (B), such that the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) can be pulled open by connecting one of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) to the initial position and moving the other of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) away from the initial position.

24. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, The initial position connector (43) can be repositioned along the guide axis (G1) so that the initial position can be repositioned axially.

25. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 24, wherein, The door guide assembly (14) defines an initial position connector guide (50), and the initial position connector (43) includes an initial position connector holder (45) configured to hold the initial position connector (43) to the initial position connector guide (50).

26. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 25, wherein, The initial position connector guide (50) is defined by the initial position connector guide rail (54), and the initial position connector clamp includes an elongated clamping element (45) extending in the elongation direction, wherein the clamping element (45): It can be inserted into the initial position connector guide rail (54) in an insertion direction perpendicular to the initial position connector guide rail (54) when the extension direction of the clamping element is parallel to the initial position connector guide rail (54); and The clamping element (45) can be locked to the initial position connector guide rail (54) by rotating the clamping element (45) about a locking axis parallel to the insertion direction.

27. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first door guide (20a) is defined by a top guide (16) configured to guide the respective top edge portions (24) of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b).

28. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom edge portions (26) of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) include corresponding support devices configured to bear the weight of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) as they move along the first door guide (20a).

29. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 28, wherein, The supporting device is a wheel (27).

30. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first gate (12a) includes: Door leaf (13); The first end guide shuttle guided in the shuttle guide rail (48a) of the first door guide (20a); and A shuttle connector (36; 136) is configured to connect the door leaf (13) to the first end guide shuttle and the second end guide shuttle of the first door, wherein the shuttle connector (36; 136) is capable of connecting to the first end guide shuttle and the second end guide shuttle of the first door when the first end guide shuttle and the second end guide shuttle of the first door are positioned in the shuttle guide rail (48a).

31. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first gate (12a) includes: Door leaf (13); The first end guide shuttle guided in the shuttle guide rail (48a) of the first door guide (20a); and A shuttle connector (36; 136) is configured to connect the door leaf (13) to the first end guide shuttle and the second end guide shuttle of the first door, wherein the shuttle connector (36; 136) is configured to snap into the first end guide shuttle and the second end guide shuttle of the first door.

32. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first gate (12a) includes: Door leaf (13); The first end guide shuttle guided in the shuttle guide rail (48a) of the first door guide (20a); and A shuttle connector (36; 136) configured to connect the door leaf (13) to the first end guide shuttle and the second end guide shuttle of the first door, wherein the door leaf (13) includes a shuttle connector guide (41) that guides the shuttle connector (36; 136) along a vertical guide axis (A).

33. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The door guide assembly (14) is further configured to define a second door guide (20b) extending along a horizontal guide axis parallel to the first door guide (20a), wherein the guided sliding door assembly (10) further includes: The second door device assembly (10b) includes: The corresponding first door component, configured to define a first door guided by the second door guide (20b), The first door device assembly (10a) and the second door device assembly (10b) define the bypass door assembly.

34. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 33, wherein, The second door device assembly (10b) also includes a corresponding second door assembly configured to define a second door guided by the second door guide (20b), wherein the second door guide (20b) is configured according to the first door guide (20a), and the first door assembly and the second door assembly of the second door device assembly (10b) are configured according to the first door assembly and the second door assembly of the first door device assembly (10a).

35. The guided sliding door assembly according to claim 33, wherein, The door guide assembly (14) further includes an initial position connector (43) that defines an initial door position at an intermediate position between the first guide end (16a) and the second guide end (16b). The initial position connector (43) is configured to automatically and releasably connect to at least one of the first door (12a) and the second door (12b) upon reaching the initial door position. The initial position connector (43) is configured to be attached between the first door guide (20a) and the second door guide (20b).

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